I see the lovin' in my baby's eyes

Driving through the snowcovered fields of Iowa and Minnesota, a song was playing as I returned from one of my visits. It was a song I'd heard before, but this time the chorus, caught my attention.

I see the lovin' in my baby's eyes...

I immediately thought of the client I had seen earlier and what I had seen in her eyes. Confusion, fear, nervousness, that's what I saw in her eyes. She doesn't know why I'm there, and she can't speak to ask. I have been telling her every week for the last year that I am there for her, to give her massage, comfort. Her look rarely changes.

I saw exhaustion in another client's eyes. They were haggard, as if she had been awake all night. Her eyes lit up briefly when she saw me, but she doesn't really know who I am. I bring light to her day, and I see it in her eyes. When, I leave, I notice they start to look tired again.

Another client's eyes were far away and seemed resigned. She has recently moved to the nursing home and I haven't seen her smile since.

All of these client's have dementia of some sort. Even though they couldn't tell you the year, or where they are, or even speak at all, you can see in their eyes, that deep down they know. They know and are waiting.